Wausau City Council Approves Ornamental Fencing Around Police Station Parking Lot

Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) The Wausau Police Department’s parking lot will get ornamental fencing later this year to protect officers.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Chief Matthew Barnes says it’s unfortunate that the department needs to take these measures, but it puts them in line with others across the state and region.

“Any modern, new police department being built is absolutely coming with a fenced-in area for squad cars and staff vehicles. It is the day and age we live in, and the responsibilities [we have.]”

It comes after numerous safety concerns have emerged from the current wide-open lot. Including a recent incident where a resident confronted an officer as they were performing a check on their squad car. During the confrontation, that person produced a knife and slit their own throat. Barnes says there have also been incidents where known criminals have taken photos and notes regarding officers’ personal vehicles.

Other incidents have seen officers confronted as they are walking to or from their vehicles when they may not be ready for confrontation. Barnes says that can also include times at the start or end of their shift when they are performing maintenance checks or finishing paperwork in their vehicles.

“Our officers are responsible for their mobile office, their squad car. They [may be] getting all their paperwork and notes ready. And they are very distracted while they are in our parking lot. Having individuals who might not have positive intent approaching them while they are distracted in those cars puts them in danger."

“We know that there is a hazard in our parking lot to our staff, and it’s our responsibility as an employer to create a safe environment for [our employees],” added Barnes.

The plan calls for an ornamental fence similar to the one around Marathon Park. Estimates show that could cost up to $210,000, paid for with interest earned after the city invested some of its ARPA funds. Two other proposals called for chain-link fencing around some or all of the lot.

Those would have been cheaper but would not have met zoning standards for the area, requiring a waiver from the city’s Plan Commission. Alder Michael Martens, whose district includes the PD building, also noted that neighbors in the area preferred the aesthetics of an ornamental fence over a chain-link fence.

Others on the Council also noted that the more expensive ornamental fence would likely require less maintenance in the long run than the cheaper chain link fence. Barnes says the department will issue a request for proposals to local fencing companies, following the city’s standard for such projects.

Work could begin as soon as this summer. The proposal passed on a 7-3 vote with Alders Terry Kilian, Sara Watson, and Victoria Tierney providing the ‘no’ votes. Alder Gary Gisselman didn’t participate in Tuesday’s meeting.

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